Hanover Inpractice

# 32
Estate Manager David Burns knew many of
his residents at Hanover Glebe had family
overseas with whom they had little contact.
He successfully bid for £500 from the local
Age Concern for a laptop specifically for
staying in touch with family and friends
abroad. He set up the laptop so that it goes
straight to Skype and switches off by just
closing the lid. Because of this, residents
don’t need computer skills – and can talk in
privacy without David’s support.
The laptop has been very popular with the
residents. 95 year old Ethel regularly contacts
her son David in Orlando using Skype and
Messenger. Other residents are contacting
relatives and friends in Thailand, New Zealand
and Canada – as well as friends down the road!
David really wanted to show his residents
HANOVER GLEBE, NUNEATON
Skype’s the limit
“
I never thought I would
live to see the day when
you could do that! It’s
wonderful to be able to
sit and talk to him.
– Ethel Packwood, Resident”
that technology is relevant to them. Not
only is Skype free, but seeing the caller
leads to less stilted conversation. Ethel is
slightly hard of hearing and likes being able
to see her son’s facial expressions.
This simple learning idea has really
transformed residents’ lives.
+ 80 WORDS
+ 80 WORDS
Picture reproduced with the courtesy of the Nuneaton News. Copyright retained.
Lifelong
learning